Holder

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a holder including: a holder body within which a hollow portion for receiving and supporting an object is formed; and at least one protrusion protruding from an outer circumferential surface of the holder body and thereby preventing a hand holding the holder body from slipping upward.

This is a non-provisional application under 35 U.S.C. § 1.111(a) which claims priority from Korean Patent Application 10-2007-0111805 filed on Nov. 2, 2007, and from PCT/KR2008/002490 filed on May 2, 2008, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a holder for receiving and supporting an object therewithin, and more particularly to a holder having a protrusion formed on an outer circumferential surface of a holder body thereof, which can prevent a hand holding the holder body from slipping upward.

2. Description of the Prior Art

A cup having no handle, such as a disposable paper cup, has been recently widely used regardless of place due to convenience. However, even when drinking a hot beverage, a user has to directly hold the cup with a hand because such a disposable paper cup or a plastic cup has no handle on the outer circumferential surface thereof. In the case of a hot beverage, such as coffee, a user often has to wait until the beverage temperature lowers to some degree to drink the beverage because he cannot directly hold the cup having no handle with a hand. Accordingly, there occurs a problem in that it is difficult to enjoy the beverage's characteristic taste. Therefore, a take-out coffee shop has recently provided a cup holder that allows a cup to be inserted therein and thus can be held by hand.

However, since a conventional cup holder does not include a support, a handle, etc., a user has to hold the cup holder with a grasping power enough to prevent the cup holder from slipping out of his hand. However, in such a case, a cup may be crushed or distorted, thereby overflowing a beverage. Accordingly, there occurs a problem in that hands, clothes, the ground, etc. may be stained. Particularly, in the case of take-out coffee, a user usually drinks the beverage while carrying a cup, and also often carries a bag in one hand or over a shoulder. Thus, there occurs inconvenience in which he is required to pay careful attention to his hand in order to move without spilling the beverage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems. The present invention provides a holder for receiving an object such as a cup, which can be held by only a weak grasping power.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a holder including: a holder body within which a hollow portion for receiving and supporting an object is formed; and at least one protrusion protruding from an outer circumferential surface of the holder body and thereby preventing a hand holding the holder body from slipping upward.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, multiple protrusions are disposed in a circumferential direction on the outer circumferential surface of the holder body.

Also, the holder body includes: plural cutting lines cut in a direction crossing a horizontal direction and spaced away with intervals therebetween in a circumferential direction; a first protrusion crease line connecting top ends of the plural cutting lines; a second protrusion crease line connecting bottom ends of the cutting lines; and a third protrusion crease line disposed between the first protrusion crease line and the second protrusion crease line, which connects the plural cutting lines, wherein the protrusion is formed by folding the first, second, and third protrusion crease lines in such a manner that the third protrusion crease line protrudes from the outer circumferential surface of the holder body.

Also, the cutting lines are cut in a vertical direction or an oblique direction, or are curvedly cut, and the first, second, and third protrusion crease lines are formed in a horizontal direction.

Also, on the holder body, mutually opposite body folding crease lines may be formed in a vertical direction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a holder according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 a is a schematic development view illustrating the holder shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 2 b is a perspective view illustrating the state in which the holder shown in FIG. 1 is folded;

FIG. 2 c is a perspective view illustrating the state in which both ends of the holder body of the holder shown in FIG. 1 are attached to each other;

FIG. 3 is a state view illustrating the state in which a cup, such as a paper cup, is received in the holder shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a schematic development view illustrating a holder according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 a is a perspective view schematically illustrating the holder according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 b is a schematic development view illustrating the holder shown in FIG. 5 a;

FIG. 5 c a perspective view illustrating the state in which both ends of the holder body of the holder shown in FIG. 5 a are attached to each other;

FIG. 6 a is a perspective view schematically illustrating a holder according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 b is a schematic development view illustrating the holder shown in FIG. 6 a;

FIG. 7 a is a schematic development view illustrating a holder according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 b is a perspective view schematically illustrating the holder shown in FIG. 7 a;

FIG. 8 is a state view illustrating a use state in which a cup (such as an illustrated cup) is received in the holder shown in FIG. 7 b;

FIG. 9 is a state view illustrating a use state in which an ice-cream cone is received the holder shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 10 is a state view illustrating a use state in which a piece of pizza is received the holder shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Referring to FIG. 1, a holder according to one embodiment of the present invention may include: a holder body 100 within which a hollow portion 200 for receiving and supporting an object is formed; and at least one protrusion 10 protruding from the outer circumferential surface of the holder body 100, which can prevent a hand holding the holder body 100 from slipping upward.

The holder body 100 includes the hollow portion 200 which can receive and support an object. Accordingly, the holder body 100 may be fabricated from a rollable or foldable (that is, humanly deformable) material, such as paper, plastic, etc., and preferably, may be fabricated from corrugated cardboard so as to prevent heat of the cup received therewithin from being transferred to the hand. A plate-type material such as paper may be rolled or folded, thereby forming the holder body 100. Accordingly, in such a structure, the hollow portion 200 is formed within the holder body 100, and may receive an object such as a cup.

As shown in FIG. 2 a, the hollow portion 200 may be formed by adhesion of at least one adhesive portion 30 formed on one surface or both surfaces of an unfolded holder. Also, the hollow portion 200 within the holder body 100 may be formed by the adhesive portion 30 or a binding portion 50 (see FIG. 4) in a different way.

The protrusion 10 protrudes from the outer circumferential surface of the folder body 100, and herein, at least one or preferably at least two protrusions 10 may be formed along the circumference of the outer circumferential surface, thereby preventing the hand holding an object, such as a cup 1, from slipping upward.

The protrusion 10 may be attached onto the holder body 100, and preferably may extend from a portion of the holder body 100. Referring FIG. 2 a, the holder body 100 includes: plural cutting lines 20 cut in a direction crossing a horizontal direction and spaced away with intervals therebetween in a circumferential direction; a first protrusion crease line 21 connecting top ends of the plural cutting lines 20; a second protrusion crease line 22 connecting bottom ends of the cutting lines 20; and a third protrusion crease line 23 disposed between the first protrusion crease line 21 and the second protrusion crease line 22, which connects the plural cutting lines 20. As shown in FIG. 2 c, when the holder body 100 is formed into a conical shape, the hollow portion 200 capable of receiving and supporting the object, such as the cup 1, is formed within the holder body.

Also, the protrusion 10 may be formed as shown in FIG. 5 a. Referring to FIG. 5 b, the holder body 100 includes plural cutting lines 20 cut in a direction crossing a horizontal direction and spaced away with intervals therebetween in a circumferential direction, and herein the cutting lines may have a curved line shape instead of a straight line shape. In addition, the holder body 100 includes: a first protrusion crease line 21 connecting top ends of the plural cutting lines 20; a second protrusion crease line 22 connecting bottom ends of the cutting lines 20; and a third protrusion crease line 23 disposed between the first protrusion crease line 21 and the second protrusion crease line 22, which connects the plural cutting lines 20. Herein, the third protrusion crease line 23 connecting the plural cutting lines 20 may have a slanted or curved shape, instead of a straight or horizontal shape (see FIG. 5).

As shown in FIG. 1, the plural cutting lines 20 linking the first protrusion crease line 21 and the second protrusion crease line 22 of the holder forming the hollow portion 200 allow the first, second and third protrusion crease lines 21, 22, and 23 to be folded in such a manner that the third protrusion crease line 23 can protrude by both upward and downward pressure, and thus may form the protrusion 10 protruding from the outer circumferential surface of the holder body 100. However, unlike the present embodiment, the protrusion 10 may be attached onto the holder body 100.

The plural cutting lines 20, which are cut in a direction crossing a horizontal direction and spaced away with intervals therebetween in a circumferential direction, may be preferably cut in a vertical direction, but also may be cut in an oblique direction. Also, the cutting lines 20 may be cut into one of various curved and straight shapes, such as a zigzag shape, a diamond shape, a star shape, etc. as long as the cutting lines can allow the third protrusion crease line 23 to be protrudingly folded by linking the first protrusion crease line 21 and the second protrusion crease line 22 via cutting. Moreover, the cutting lines may have a certain shape via cutting. In other words, it is possible to variously fabricate a holder having a certain style depending on the shape or form of the cutting lines (See FIG. 6).

The first protrusion crease line and the third protrusion crease line may be preferably in a horizontal direction, but also may be in an oblique direction. Also, the first and third protrusion crease lines may take a curved shape, such as a wave shape, a circumferential shape, etc., or may otherwise, take a certain shape or form.

The holder having the protrusion 10 formed thereon may be used as shown in FIG. 3. When the object, such as the cup 1, is received within the holder according to the present invention, the cup 1 is received and supported by the holder body 100, and also, when the cup is held and lifted by a hand, the protrusion 10 more significantly protrudes from the outer circumferential surface of the holder body 100 by the upward pressure of the hand. Accordingly, the formed protrusion 10 can prevent the hand holding the holder body from slipping upward, and makes it possible to easily hold the cup, even with a weak grasping force.

Meanwhile, on the holder body 100, certain designs, figures and colors for an advertisement or a trademark may be added. The advertisement, etc. may be illustrated in any position as long as it is within the holder body 100. Thus, the advertisement, etc. may be illustrated to achieve an aesthetic effect with the protrusion 10, or may be illustrated on a holder body portion on which the protrusion 10 is not formed so that the protrusion can be distinct from the holder body portion.

Also, the holder body 100 may further include an object-surface exposing portion 60. As shown in FIG. 7, the object-surface exposing portion 60 may be formed by cutting a certain portion of the holder body so that the surface of a cup received in a holder, or the surface of an object receivable in a holder, can be exposed. Since the object-surface exposing portion 60 may be cut into various forms or shapes, such as a rectangle, a diamond, a hexagon, etc., it is possible to manufacture various styles of holders. In a holder having the object-surface exposing portion 60 formed therein, since a design, a trademark, a figure, etc. on the surface of a cup received in the holder can be exposed to the outside, various aesthetic effects can be achieved. In addition, there is no need to additionally illustrate a design or a trademark on the holder, which is advantageous from an economic standpoint (see FIG. 8). As described above, the use of the holder according to the present invention can provide a consumer with not only ease in cup-holding, but also an advertising impact or an aesthetic effect of a trademark, a design, etc. on an object (such as a cup) surface due to the exposure of the trademark, the design, etc. to the outside of the holder. Meanwhile, the object-surface exposing portion 60 may be covered with a substrate made of a transparent material, such as transparent vinyl, cellophane paper, etc.

Also, on the holder body 100, mutually opposite body folding crease lines 40 may be formed in a vertical direction. When the holder body 100 is folded by the body folding crease lines 40, it is possible to store and circulate the holder in a folded state as shown in FIG. 2 b. Accordingly, the volume may be reduced, thereby improving convenience.

Also, according to another embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 4, the holder body 100 may form a hollow portion by bonding a binding portion, the binding portion being formed by partially cutting the holder body. Herein, the binding portion 50 may include: a first binding portion 51 formed by a first slot 51 a, the first slot 51 a being downwardly cut by a predetermined length from the top portion of the right-hand end side of the holder body 100; and a second binding portion 52 formed by a second slot 52 a, the second slot 52 a being upwardly cut by a predetermined length from the bottom portion of the left-hand end side of the holder body 100.

Meanwhile, there is no limitation in an object receivable in the holder according to the present invention, and the object includes food (such as an ice-cream cone, a piece of pizza, etc.) or drink, besides a cup. For example, some kinds of food (such as an ice-cream cone) which do not require any additional cup may be directly received in the holder. On the other hand, other kinds of food (for example, a piece of pizza) may be received in an additional cup and then received in the holder.

Takeout food such as an ice-cream cone, a piece of pizza, etc. is often received in a disposable paper cup or wrapped by disposable paper. Thus, when the ice-cream is melted and streamed down or oil or toppings of the pizza fall, hands or clothes may be stained. Meanwhile, in the case of the holder according to the present invention, it is possible to support a cup or food received within the holder body by only weak grasping power due to the protrusion, and also to prevent food (such as an ice-cream cone or drink) from filling/streaming down on hands or clothes by the protrusion formed on an outer circumferential surface of the holder body (see FIGS. 9 and 10).

As described above, the holder according to the present invention includes an additional protrusion formed on the holder body thereof, which allows a user to easily hold a drink, etc. and prevents a hand from slipping upward. Accordingly, convenience in the use may be improved.

Also, plural protrusions may be disposed in a circumferential direction on the outer circumferential surface of the holder body, thereby more significantly improving the convenience in use.

Also, the protrusion can protrude and extend from the outer circumferential surface of the holder body by folding a first protrusion crease line, a second protrusion crease line, and a third protrusion crease line. Therefore, the holder can be easily fabricated.

Also, the holder can be folded along mutually opposite body folding crease lines, which are formed on the holder body in a vertical direction. Accordingly, the volume may be reduced, and thus the holder is easy to store, circulate, and carry.

Although several exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been described for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims. 

1. A holder comprising: a holder body within which a hollow portion for receiving and supporting an object is formed; and at least one protrusion protruding from an outer circumferential surface of the holder body, which prevents a hand holding the holder body from slipping upward.
 2. The holder as claimed in claim 1, wherein the protrusion comprises a plurality of protrusions disposed in a circumferential direction on the outer circumferential surface of the holder body.
 3. The holder as claimed in claim 1, wherein the holder body comprises: plural cutting lines cut in a direction crossing a horizontal direction and spaced away with intervals therebetween in a circumferential direction; a first protrusion crease line connecting top ends of the plural cutting lines; a second protrusion crease line connecting bottom ends of the cutting lines; and a third protrusion crease line disposed between the first protrusion crease line and the second protrusion crease line, which connects the plural cutting lines, in which the protrusion is formed by folding the first, second, and third protrusion crease lines in such a manner that the third protrusion crease line protrudes from the outer circumferential surface of the holder body.
 4. The holder as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first and second protrusion crease lines are in the horizontal direction, and the cutting lines are cut in a vertical direction or an oblique direction, or are curvedly cut, with respect to the crease lines.
 5. The holder as claimed in claim 1, wherein the holder body is formed by adhesion of at least one adhesive portion formed on one surface or both surfaces of an unfolded holder.
 6. The holder as claimed in claim 1, wherein, the holder body is formed by combining: a first binding portion formed by a first slot, the first slot being downwardly cut by a predetermined length from a top portion of a right-hand end side of an unfolded holder; with a second binding portion formed by a second slot, the second slot being upwardly cut by a predetermined length from a bottom portion of a left-hand end side of the unfolded holder.
 7. The holder as claimed in claim 1, wherein in the holder body, an object-surface exposing portion is further formed.
 8. The holder as claimed in claim 1, wherein, on the holder body, mutually opposite body folding crease lines are formed in a vertical direction.
 9. The holder as claimed in claim 1, wherein the object is a cup.
 10. The holder as claimed in claim 1, wherein the object is food or drink. 